Forum Post: We have the world's attention... shoot for the moon
Posted 12 years ago on Oct. 5, 2011, 9:22 a.m. EST by akamai42
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Everyone has a list of very valid demands/grievances, but the central point is that we need GOVERNMENTAL REFORM. The point is that if the legislature truly represented its constituency and acted on the behalf of the will of the majority instead of the 1%, we could solve all of these problems simply by participating fully in the democratic process, but right now it doesn't work that way. What do we want? Government by the people, for the people.
If we unite behind the theme of removing corporate corruption from the government (revolving corporate door, corporate personhood, campaign reform, etc) and pressure career politicians to allow fresh citizens in office, as Thomas Paine suggested in Common Sense, we can begin to use our democratic process to address the myriad of what's broken.
Setting our sights on simply fixing issues like foreign policy or student loans is short-sighted. We will soon have the world's attention. We can and should shoot for the moon and challenge the complete system. When We, the People once again control the government, we can begin making ALL of the other changes in accordance with the will of the majority.
Don't focus on relieving the symptoms of the problem - focus on curing the root cause.
Make sense?
Another thing: I think this is a very important thing to say and get consensus on. I think those of us who believe it should argue for it over and over again until everyone understands.
I agree with this 100%. I think that fixing our democracy (and not some stupid small concessions) but REALLY fixing it and getting in in the hands of the people, should be our single, unnegotiable demand. In addition to this demand being the most important, it's also the demand for which we will be able to generate the most support for, from both sides of the political spectrum to some degree.
One person. One vote. End the buying and selling of Democracy!
I agree 100%. If the movement chooses to focus on myriad issues such as student loans, taxes etc., the result will be a loss of support. The ONLY issue is getting our government back into the hands of the people and out of the clutches of the 1%. Outlaw corporate lobbying, eliminate the revolving door, end corporate person hood, etc. Everything else can be democratically decided upon later. If we get the government back, we can then make change. If we fail in this one effort, everything else is also lost. We need to keep our eye on the ball. Our ONLY strength against the 1% is our numbers. We should be extremely careful not to do anything that will alienate portions of the 99%--we need to be getting more people to stand with us, not setting ourselves up to fail by inviting division on non-central issues.
Interesting point to ponder: If OWS were able to get the government to accede to demands such as tax reform, how would that be democratic? Rule by mob--the tyranny of the majority--is what democracy is intended to protect against. Revolution is for gaining control of the government. AFTER that is when you address policy, via a democratic system. Otherwise, you are just asking the powers that be in the current corrupt to reform themselves.
Or OWS can be like Icarus and fly too close to the sun. Time will tell.
Yes! Thank you, I've been trying to remind these people what the movement is about. I think it is becoming useless. This forum has been hijacked by trolls.
Don't worry about the forum. Forums are easily hijacked by trolls who live in their momma's basement while they complain about people on welfare. The movement on the streets is legit, and it's also on the internet, although you have to deal with more trolls here.